Page 97 - Romania 100

Platform Supply Vessel PSV 5000 “Paul A. Sacuta” supporting oil and gas exploration off Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
the largest military vessel ever built in Romania and the largest vessel of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Moreover, the building of another Combat Support Ship (CSS) for the Royal Netherlands Navy shall start next year and there is hope that the Group will be involved in the replacement
of the M (multipurpose) class frigates of The Netherlands and Belgium.
Romania may also benefit from the Group’s expertise in the future, considering our country’s maritime and river borders.
Another key factor, considering this excellence approach in the Defence sector, is that we also have in Galaţi the engineering company for all military vessels in Damen Group’s portfolio. This is Marine Engineering Galaţi (MEGA), a proven success in the transfer of ‘know-how’ within
the Group. In other words, Damen Shipyards Galaţi is and shall remain in the vanguard of the defence shipbuilding industry.
Already having over 20 years of experience in military vessels’ shipbuilding, with over € 2 billion exports only for vessels built in Galati, the Group
Offshore Patrol Vessel OPV 6610 „ Ștefan cel Mare” in service with the Romanian Border Police
Offshore Coastal Survey Vessel “Fugro Frontier” working across a number of various African markets
has, apart from its expertise and facilities, a very good product – the SIGMA corvette and frigate platform. This is a very performant model, as 10 various versions of such corvettes/ frigates have been built so far for the Defence sector customers.
Damen Shipyards Galaţi built in 2010 the Romanian Border Police’s flagship, ‘Ştefan cel Mare’.
A centre of excellence requires very well
trained workforce. In addition to salary raise, Damen Group developed a special policy on
the workforce mobility. In compliance with the desire for a stable workforce, there is a program where employees wanting to work abroad may do so in the Damen yards from other countries
– France, The Netherlands, Middle East or Far East countries – without having to resign their jobs within the company.
Galaţi City has a strong heritage among the large shipbuilding industry. It is a 125-year heritage, starting with Fernic yard, and Damen is very proud of it.
This year’s Shipbuilder’s Day was celebrated
on the 15th August with a special program dedicated to the company’s employees and their families, while on the 1st September
an exhibition hosted by “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galaţi was inaugurated, where
an anniversary album was released as
well. Both the exhibition and the album are dedicated to the history of Galaţi shipbuilding industry. One of the exhibits is actually the original incorporation document of Fernic yard! Moreover, it is significant to mention that the chairman of Damen Group, Mr. Kommer Damen, is a man of vision, just like G. Fernic was, who invested a lot in his employees, their families and the local community.
97